And Your Bird Can Sing

The Beatles, 1966, from Revolver. Solo by George Harrison & Paul McCartney.

The song's hook is a harmonized guitar line played by George Harrison and Paul McCartney, weaving above the rhythm section in tight, parallel lines. It's bright, fast and tuneful, sounding almost like a duet between voices rather than two guitars. The part runs through the intro, the middle and the outro, giving the song a sparkling, restless energy. It's often cited as a precursor to later twin-guitar bands, and a model for how harmony leads can carry a pop song. Listen for the way the two lines move in and out of perfect sync, occasionally splitting apart before snapping back together as the track barrels toward its close.

And Your Bird Can Sing by The Beatles is ranked #132 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by George Harrison & Paul McCartney and the song was released in 1966. It appears on 5 lists, placing as high as #68 (Magazyn Gitarzysta).

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Classic Rock Guitar Solos — #25
• The 25 Greatest Power Pop Guitar Solos — #10
• The Pioneers: 1950s & 60s — #22
• Twin Guitars & Harmonies — #11
• Short & Perfect — #10
• Most Divisive — #17
• The Best The Beatles Guitar Solos — #8
• The Best George Harrison Guitar Solos — #3

Sources

• Magazyn Gitarzysta: 100 solówek wszech czasów [100 solos of all time] — #68
• Bombay Lives (Substack): 100 Greatest Guitar Solos — #69
• Topito (now 10h26.com): Top 100 des plus grands solos de guitare de l'histoire (Benoit Floyd) — #69
• Guitar Tricks: 200 Best Guitar Solos of All Time — #164
• Digital Dream Door: 250 Greatest Rock Guitar Solos — #187